aristocatz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2009
Back in WDW for our first time in 4 years & this time with 2 toddlers (4 years ago, just one baby), DH, & my parents. This is our youngest daughter's first trip.
Staying at AKV in a 2 BR Savannah View (our first time in a DVC & first time renting points).
We just arrived yesterday & have been to DAK & MK so far.
Thoughts so far:
1) Renting DVC points is most definitely the way to go if you are traveling with extended family. We were nervous at first, having never done it before, but I would definitely do it again! It is way cheaper than booking 2 rooms, we still completely have a sense of privacy between parties & there is ample space, AND we get to stay in a deluxe resort!!
2) AKV is an amazing resort!! I know its far from most of the parks, but it is the best themed, rooms are so luxurious, & come on-giraffes and zebras outside your balcony?? Amazing!! Also, so glad we have a Savannah view-100% worth the money. It is also very relaxing, being at WDW, but not on top of WDW all the time. AKV is a very nice break after a long day at the parks.
3) Mara is an awesome CS. I highly recommend the Mara Chicken Salad-yum!
4) Magic Bands are so much easier than they used to be. Using them for FP+ was a breeze, and using them for DDP & room key has been flawless so far.
5) I completely regret not setting aside our first day to do nothing. Yesterday,we woke up at 3am on arrival day, got on a plane, traveled to AkV, ate lunch, & headed right to DAK. My kids were completely exhausted and over-stimulated by the end of the day. Next trip we will arrive & relax in our hotel for the first day.
6) We love DAK!!!! I regret only setting aside a 1/2 day for it. Crowds were not bad yesterday.
7) If you have toddlers, do a ton of research on which attractions are appropriate for their age and personalities, and which ones to avoid. Some attractions might seem like great choices because they are geared toward toddlers, but they are horrible choices if you have a toddler who has never experienced anything like WDW. & be extra cautious of which attraction you introduce them to first. "It's Tough to Be a Bug" was an epic fail for my 5 year old & almost 3 year old yesterday. Both were absolutely terrified & we had to take them out early. I could hear cries and mortified screams from several other toddlers around me as well. I had forgotten what the show was like, but it is just a horrible choice for a certain personality of toddlers (like mine). At MK today, my almost 3 year old was surprisingly terrified by many Fantasyland rides today-something I just did not expect-Winnie the Pooh cue line was way too loud and overstimulating for her. Peter Pan was scary to her. Little Mermaid-she was scared of Ursula. She LOVED It's a Small World (very safe choice), as well as Country Bears Jamboree.
8) Crystal Palace is, hands down, the best character meal for little ones. The characters were so sweet with my girls, very adaptable to their initial shyness, and both of my kids warmed up to them very easily. This was definitely the highlight of their trip so far (& mine-my heart melted watching Pooh & Friends interact with them!). Crystal Palace food was amazing as well-great salads, yummy creamy artichoke pasta, yummy butternut squash soup, carved meats, & these yummy honey pot desserts.
That's all for now! Will add more as our trip progresses!
Staying at AKV in a 2 BR Savannah View (our first time in a DVC & first time renting points).
We just arrived yesterday & have been to DAK & MK so far.
Thoughts so far:
1) Renting DVC points is most definitely the way to go if you are traveling with extended family. We were nervous at first, having never done it before, but I would definitely do it again! It is way cheaper than booking 2 rooms, we still completely have a sense of privacy between parties & there is ample space, AND we get to stay in a deluxe resort!!
2) AKV is an amazing resort!! I know its far from most of the parks, but it is the best themed, rooms are so luxurious, & come on-giraffes and zebras outside your balcony?? Amazing!! Also, so glad we have a Savannah view-100% worth the money. It is also very relaxing, being at WDW, but not on top of WDW all the time. AKV is a very nice break after a long day at the parks.
3) Mara is an awesome CS. I highly recommend the Mara Chicken Salad-yum!
4) Magic Bands are so much easier than they used to be. Using them for FP+ was a breeze, and using them for DDP & room key has been flawless so far.
5) I completely regret not setting aside our first day to do nothing. Yesterday,we woke up at 3am on arrival day, got on a plane, traveled to AkV, ate lunch, & headed right to DAK. My kids were completely exhausted and over-stimulated by the end of the day. Next trip we will arrive & relax in our hotel for the first day.
6) We love DAK!!!! I regret only setting aside a 1/2 day for it. Crowds were not bad yesterday.
7) If you have toddlers, do a ton of research on which attractions are appropriate for their age and personalities, and which ones to avoid. Some attractions might seem like great choices because they are geared toward toddlers, but they are horrible choices if you have a toddler who has never experienced anything like WDW. & be extra cautious of which attraction you introduce them to first. "It's Tough to Be a Bug" was an epic fail for my 5 year old & almost 3 year old yesterday. Both were absolutely terrified & we had to take them out early. I could hear cries and mortified screams from several other toddlers around me as well. I had forgotten what the show was like, but it is just a horrible choice for a certain personality of toddlers (like mine). At MK today, my almost 3 year old was surprisingly terrified by many Fantasyland rides today-something I just did not expect-Winnie the Pooh cue line was way too loud and overstimulating for her. Peter Pan was scary to her. Little Mermaid-she was scared of Ursula. She LOVED It's a Small World (very safe choice), as well as Country Bears Jamboree.
8) Crystal Palace is, hands down, the best character meal for little ones. The characters were so sweet with my girls, very adaptable to their initial shyness, and both of my kids warmed up to them very easily. This was definitely the highlight of their trip so far (& mine-my heart melted watching Pooh & Friends interact with them!). Crystal Palace food was amazing as well-great salads, yummy creamy artichoke pasta, yummy butternut squash soup, carved meats, & these yummy honey pot desserts.
That's all for now! Will add more as our trip progresses!